B'Twin Triban 3 vs Boardman Road Sport

djtwigster

Is it fair to compare these two bikes considering the price difference. Triban 3 (approx €360) vs Boardman road sport (approx €590 with axa discount). New to this road bike game, by the way.

Seaneh

Considering the price difference, it's a no brainer, the btwin is much better value.

Seaneh

Actually, the Road Sport has an alloy fork, the btwin has a carbon fork.

The btwin isn't just better value, it's better specced.

djtwigster

But is the boardman a much better bike?
Is it just the carbon fork spec that calls it, because they are very similar in weight, or is it the whole package?

Seaneh

djtwigster wrote: »

But is the boardman a much better bike?
Is it just the carbon fork spec that calls it, because they are very similar in weight, or is it the whole package?

No, the boardman isn't a better bike at all, they are much of a muchness, the btwin is a better bike over all.

Seaneh

Even this bike is €80 less than the Boardman, and it's much higher spec.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-black-id_8239801.html#anchor_ComponentProductFeatures

If you're willing to spend that much, buy the Triban 5, the new SORA groupset is lovely.

djtwigster

Cheers Seaneh, i never even seen the triban 5, more to consider. Now to figure out what size. I'm 5'9'' with 32' inside leg. Would a 54'' be suitable?

Seaneh

djtwigster wrote: »

Cheers Seaneh, i never even seen the triban 5, more to consider. Now to figure out what size. I'm 5'9'' with 32' inside leg. Would a 54'' be suitable?

I don't actually know what sizing the btwin works at to be honest, give them a bell in belfast and they will help you.

Robxxx7

The new T3 does not have a carbon fork anymore, whereas the new T5 does. The original T3 (pre 2013 model) did have the carbon fork but no longer does.
The new T5 does look a nicer bike.
Also bear in mind that Decathlon no longer deliver to Ireland, so it may mean a trip to Belfast.

djtwigster

cheers folks.

route66

Robxxx7 wrote: »

The new T3 does not have a carbon fork anymore, whereas the new T5 does. The original T3 (pre 2013 model) did have the carbon fork but no longer does.
The new T5 does look a nicer bike.
Also bear in mind that Decathlon no longer deliver to Ireland, so it may mean a trip to Belfast.

According to their website for the T3 (link) it still does:

fork
carbon with aluminium dropout

If you can afford the extra £130 over the T3, the T5 is worth it (link)

Robxxx7

That is for the older T3 which is limited in supply now ... the new T3 (T3a) http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-road-bike-white-id_8239800.html
is replacing the old red T3, the new one has no carbon fork and uses microshift gearing

Just to add if you can get the red T3 at your size then its worth every cent .... try Belfast store and they maybe able to call round other stores and get one of the red ones in for you ... its worth a try

djtwigster

Any idea how often decathlon restock their bikes. Bike guy suggested i needed a 57' frame of which they had none in either the T3 or 5a. He wouldn't give me a straight answer, just said to keep calling.

Seaneh

I'd say you could be waiting a while, unfortunately.

Have a look at the bike below.

It's the same spec as the Triban 5 but it's about €120 more expencive, now remember that's only €40 more than the Boardman and it's a much better spec than the boardman.

In the picture it has the wrong bike, it's the same frame though.

New SORA, carbon fork, yadda yadda.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/battaglin-s11-sora-2013/

djtwigster

Thanks folks for all the advice. I'm now the proud new owner of a B'Twin Triban 5a. What a great bike for the money. A sub 10 kg bike with sora gears /chainset and shifters, with a carbon fork. Great value for money , i'm delighted. Cheers seanah

Robxxx7

Very nice bike indeed .... did you get it from their belfast store in the end ?

djtwigster

Yeah, took a spin down on Saturday evening.Worth the trip.Picked up another few bits n bobs when i was there.

Seaneh

Post a picture.

Drive side visible, biddons out of cages, valves at 12 o'clock, freestanding prefered.

djtwigster

Sorry for the delay seaneh, was testing it out all last week.

Seaneh

Lovely bike in the sun

route66

djtwigster wrote: »

Sorry for the delay seaneh, was testing it out all last week.

Lovely bike & great value!

(Is the saddle a bit low?)

djtwigster

Does it look low route, i know nothing about bike fitting. My tip toes barely touch the ground at this height. Is that the way ye measure it? Maybe i've got shorter than average legs. Bike seems comfortable enough to ride, any advice?
Could also be the angle of the photo, i dunno.

route66

djtwigster wrote: »

Does it look low route, i know nothing about bike fitting. My tip toes barely touch the ground at this height. Is that the way ye measure it? Maybe i've got shorter than average legs. Bike seems comfortable enough to ride, any advice?
Could also be the angle of the photo, i dunno.

There's lots of "rule of thumb" ways to measure this. One is that with your heel on the pedal axle, your leg should be straight out at the bottom of a rotation. If your saddle is too low, you may be putting your knees under pressure and may not be able to push as hard as you should.

But the best way to get the correct height and overall setup is to get a bike fit done. Having said that, I never did myself and instead relied on information available on t'internet - like here for instance: link

Hope you enjoy that bike!